CSD Mag Positional Rankings: Runningbacks

Over the past month or so, I’ve rolled out 15 “teasers” for the CSD Mag (if you missed any, you can find them all under the football tab) Now, it’s time to start rolling out the full thing, starting with my “positional rankings” The categories for these are: QB, RB, WR, OL, DL, LB, DB, and ST (Special Teams). They will be released in that order.

All stats via sports-reference.com, and all recruiting rankings via 247sports.com

CSD Mag RB Unit Rankings

#1 – Alabama

Of course Alabama is number one. This could be one of the best groups of runningbacks in the history of college football. Three five-star recruits, two four-star recruits, and an all-purpose back in Josh Jacobs. Damien Harris led the team in rushing last year, with just over 1,000 yards, but Bo Scarbrough was arguably the better back, especially down the stretch. True freshman Najee Harris was the #3 overall player in this year’s recruiting cycle. Harris shined in the spring game, and while he complicates who will get carries, it’s undeniable that Alabama has the best group of backs in the nation.

#2 – Georgia

Georgia’s two-headed monster at runningback has dealt with injuries in the past, but they should be ready to go for the 2017 season. Nick Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards as a freshman, and was set to break that in year two before a brutal knee injury set him out for over a year. He returned last season, rushing for 1,130 yards and 8 touchdowns. His partner, former five-star recruit Sony Michel, is just as deadly. Michel piled up 1,161 yards while Chubb was injured in 2015. Michel ran for 840 yards last year.

#3 – Penn State

Saquon Barkley is the best running back in America. After a 1,000+ yards as a true freshman, Barkley racked up nearly 1,500 yards in year two. With an better offensive line, he could improve further on that total in 2017. The reason Penn State is at #3 here is because of a lack of a solid backup. The #2 and #3 rushers for the Nittany Lions in 2016 were quarterbacks, not runingbacks. While Barkley is the best back in college football, Penn State is #3.

#4 – Auburn

Auburn’s top two rushers from last season each missed games with injuries, but put up incredible statistics. Big play threat and 4 star athlete Kerryon Johnson rushed for 895 yards. Power back Kamryn Pettyway took the bulk of the carries and finished with 1,224 yards, seven touchdowns at just under six yards per carry. With Auburn getting reliable QB play from Jarrett Stodham this year, the pressure on Johnson and Pettyway should lessen, and that could mean big things for the Tigers in the crowded SEC West.

#5 – LSU

Yes, four of the top five runningback units in the country reside in the SEC. #5 on this list goes to the LSU Tigers. Leonard Fournette got most of the attention last year, but LSU’s leading rusher was actually Derrius Guice, who rushed for 1,365 yards even splitting carries with Fournette. Guice’s 7.6 yards per carry is one of the top marks in the nation. 4-star Senior Darrel Williams has 831 career yards and 10 career touchdowns, and he should get more carries as he moves into the #2 role on the depth chart.

#6 – Florida State
#7 – Oregon
#8 – Washington
#9 – USC
#10 – Ohio State
#11 – Northwestern
#12 – Western Michigan
#13 – Texas A&M
#14 – Michigan
#15 – Arkansas
#16 – Michigan State
#17 – TCU
#18 – Notre Dame
#19 – Vanderbilt
#20 – West Virginia
#21 – Colorado
#22 – Minnesota
#23 – Maryland
#24 – Army
#25 – Oklahoma State